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The Community Foundation of Pulaski County recently announced just under $96,300 was awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations.
The following projects and organizations have received funding in 2024:
Mobile Food Pantry
Food Finders – $3,375
Fire Department Radio
Star City Fire Department – $4,513
West Central BizTown Field Trip
Junior Achievement Serving Pulaski County – $2,800
Accessibility Ramps
Servants at Work, Inc. (SAWs) – $3,361
After-Prom Programming
West Central School Corporation – $1,500
Windows of Opportunities
Uptown Project – $10,000
Lucas CPR Devices
Pulaski County Fire Departments – $52,435
Roof Repair
American Legion – $8,310
Playground Rubber Resurfacing Repairs
KIRP-C – $10,000
Kaye Beall, Board President of CFoPC stated, “We are pleased to support the organizations that serve Pulaski County. These grants are making a difference in the quality of life for all residents.”
In 2023, CFoPC announced changes to the grant program, switching its grants management platform to a comprehensive “all-in-one” software. The Community Foundation made these changes to make the application process easier for local nonprofits. Restrictions on request amounts were removed, as well as some limitations on operating support.
Leeann Wright, CFoPC Executive Director, noted, “Since the Foundation’s beginning in 1997, over $2.7 million has been awarded in Community Grants to Pulaski County nonprofits and charitable organizations that serve our county.” Community Grants are composed of unrestricted dollars – funds that are awarded at the discretion of the CFoPC Board, via the Grants Committee, to ensure that Pulaski County continues to be a place to thrive and grow today and tomorrow.
The Grants Committee is responsible for thoroughly reviewing each application and determining funding from the Foundation’s discretionary and field of interest funds. In 2024, the following CFoPC Board Members served on the Grants Committee: John Sass (Chair), Joey Schlatter, and Megan Wegner; non-board members include: Abby Dickey, Kim Marlatt, Don Street, and Jennifer Mellon. The Grant Committee’s work was reviewed and supported by CFoPC 2024 Board Members: Kaye Beall, Pam Burger, Katie DeGroot, Kurt Dickey, Brandy Goble, Karen Jones, Jill Kasten, Bob Klitzman, Bill Peppers, Christian Smith, Vicki Overmyer, and Peter Zahrt.
Funding for discretionary grants is through the Community Grants Fund and several Field of Interest Funds held at the foundation. These funds were made possible by the many individuals and businesses that care deeply about Pulaski County. The Foundation Staff wish to express deepest thanks and gratitude for these forward-thinking donors and to the Grants Committee Members and Board for their time and thoughtful efforts in this important program for the community of Pulaski County.
Funds that support the Community Grants program are:
Community Grants Endowment Fund
Board of Directors Fund
Bess A. Russell Endowment
Elden and Mary Lee Gutwein Family Fund
James A. Ehlers Unrestricted Fund
Mary Melvin Frank Community Fund
Mellon Patch Community Fund
Michael J. Rausch Community Fund
Ruff Unrestricted Family Fund
#LoveWhereYouLive Fund (CFoPC’s newest endowed fund)
For community members wishing to support the Community Grants program, gifts to any of the above-named funds will be matched $2-to-$1 through December 2025, thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc.’s GIFT VIII initiative.
For 2025, Grants will be reviewed and awarded in the spring and fall. Grant applications are accepted year-round, but deadlines for review in 2025 will be April 1 and October 1. For more information, visit the Community Foundation website at www.cfopc.org/grants, email info@cfopc.org, or call 574-946-0906.
